6 water rescues over the weekend

Arnold, MO (KSDK) - Water rescue crews are staying busy this weekend. Six people have been pulled from the water after they got stuck in the quick moving rivers.

Sunday morning three men had to be rescued when their canoe capsized in the Meramec river near Arnold. They were in the water for about 45 minutes until they were rescued.

The three men were fishing early Sunday when they found themselves floating down the river. Thankfully one had a cell phone and was able to call for help.

"We were able to actually take our sonic jet boat and rescue two boaters who were actually hanging from the trees that were close by and water was just rushing around them," says Ron Harder with the Rock Community Fire Protection District.

The third boater was also rescued and all three were taken to a local hospital where they were treated and released.

Saturday morning three people had to be rescued in the Desoto area. Officials say they accidentally drove into water that was covering a road. The car was swept away and all three managed to escape and wait in the water to be rescued.

Harder says to complete these rescues is no easy task.

"These guys really put it on the line because the waters were really dangerous," he says.

He explains that en a river is out of its banks the current gets quicker and the debris gets larger. Thankfully, the Rock Community District and many others in the area have top of the line equipment

"These sonic jet boats, the Los Angeles County fire department has several of these," he says.

While these men are experienced at what they do, they hope common sense is used out on the river.

"The water is this high and rushing this swiftly - it's dangerous," says Harder.

Again fire officials urge people to stay off the rivers until the water goes down.
If you find yourself on a river remember to take a cell phone and hope that it works.